Superman news: Amy Adams will be Lois Lane [updated]

March 27, 2011 | 10:53 a.m.

Amy Adams (Warner Bros)

EXCLUSIVE

This just in — three-time Oscar nominee Amy Adams will play journalist Lois Lane in Hollywood’s revival of “Superman.”

The 36-year-old star got the news on Sunday from director Zack Snyder, who phoned her from Paris, where he was promoting his just-opened film, “Sucker Punch.” There had been a crush of Hollywood interest in the lead female role in the Warner Bros. project but Snyder said that after meeting with Adams, she was the clear choice to take on a character that dates back to 1938 and has long represented the strong, professional woman who can hold her own against any man — even if he can leap tall buildings in a single bound.

“There was a big, giant search for Lois,” Snyder said. “For us it was a big thing and obviously a really important role. We did a lot of auditioning but we had this meeting with Amy Adams and after that I just felt she was perfect for it.”

Snyder declined to discuss the precise prominence of Lois in the story or any plot details about the film but he said the role is “a linchpin” to the project and that he considers it essential that Lois — an FDR-era creation — arrives on screen in 2012 with contemporary appeal and spirit.

Lois Lane meets Superman (DC Comics)

“It goes back to what I’ve said about Superman and making him really understandable for today. What’s important to us is making him relevant and real and making him empathetic to today’s audience so that we understand the decisions he makes. That applies to Lois as well. She has to be in the same universe as him [in tone and substance].”

Adams has shown an affinity for finding the plucky but pitch-perfect center of old-school roles; in the cartoonish “Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian” she brought a surprising amount of yearning emotion to the role of a simplified Amelia Earhart and she won rave reviews for the role of Giselle in “Enchanted” and its sly send-up of Disney princess traditions that date back to “Snow White,” which premiered just six months before Lois Lane hit newsstands in the pages of Action Comics No. 1.

Adams is coming off an Academy Award nomination for her work in “The Fighter,” the David O. Russell film that took her into far darker territory; she played a bartender named Charlene who is fire-tested and fierce in her love for a down-but-not-out boxer portrayed by Mark Wahlberg. The film earned an Oscar win for Christian Bale, who played Wahlberg’s deliriously drugged-out brother, and he will be in the other big superhero film of 2012, “The Dark Knight Rises,” which will see Bale back in the cowl of Batman.

The big breakthrough for Adams was “Junebug,” which premiered at the 2005 Sundance Film Festival, where Adams won a special jury prize for her performance. The star’s other notable credits include “Doubt,” Julie & Julia,” “Sunshine Cleaning,” “Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby” and “Charlie Wilson’s War.” Later this year, she will be seen in both “On the Road” (an adaptation of the famed Jack Kerouac novel) and in Disney’s new Muppets film.

I asked Snyder how it feels to be making a film where every casting choice is a global news flash. “It’s an epic thing, no doubt. But this good news is the cast is shaping up to fit that.” In the still-untitled Superman film, Henry Cavill will play Clark Kentand the Man of Steel. Kevin Costner and Diane Lane are set to play the Kents, the adoptive parents of the last son of Krypton.

THIS FRANCHISE IS HUNGRY FOR GREATNESS! This is the time to rebuild the franchise. They should exclude Lex Luthor or General Zod from the Superman movies for a while. They should utilise the villains that weren’t included in the previous films such as Bizarro, Brainiac, Doomsday, Metallo, Toyman, Darkseid, Atomic Skull, Bloodsport, Bruno Mannheim, Conduit, Cyborg Superman, Faora, Gog, Imperiex, Intergang, Jax-Ur, Kryptonite Man, Livewire, Mala, Mercy Graves, Mongul, Morgan Edge, Mr. Mxyzptlk, Parasite, Prankster, Sam Lane, Silver Banshee, Solaris, Superboy-Prime, Superman Revenge Squad, Terra-Man, Titano, Ultra-Humanite, Ultraman. This is a second chance to get it right. This is an opportunity.

My thinking is go about Lex the way they did on Smallville. Introduce him in the first film, but not as the villain. Make him seem likable with that slightly dark streak. Something at the end of the movie puts him over the edge and ignites his hatred for Superman in the second film. I would even go so far as making Lex like Clark in the second film creating some conflict for Clark/Superman

Heh nice allusion to Kevin Spacey's Lex Luthor there. Although I will still see this and probably enjoy it, I agree with you. This is a slight disappointment. Amy Adams feels too old and I can't say she has the look, even if they dyed her hair black.

But then again, Maggie Gylenhall did tolerably in Dark Knight and that's Maggie Gylenhall. Amy Adams will end up doing fine as long as the rest of the movie doesn't suck.

Many a movie is ruined by messed up, or mixed up, casting. PLEASE Amy as Lois would feel fake, BUT she is a perfect LANA. Kristen Bell, Rashida Jones, maybe Jessica Biel BUT no more movies as auditions. Make a wise choice and stick with it, but don’t do a crappy Lois and ruin a perfect Lana!!

The "Smallville" storyline is so far removed from anything resembling Superman that a "Smallville" sequel movie is just not logical at all. Tom Welling could have been a good Superman, and Erica Durance is a good Lois Lane, but still… That's a discussion for 2004.. It's never gonna happen. Give it up.

Well I agree with you!!!!! I love them as Clark and Erica and I really didn't gave a crap about Smallville! I still think they would be good. I love Amy Adams, but I don't see her as Lois Lane. But hey, never know, I might be surprised! :) Still … Tom and Erica for ever!!!!! lol :)

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!! Amy Adams is old enough to be Henry Cavill's mother-she is 40, NOT 36. What is Zach Snyder thinking??? Not only is Amy Adams too old, she does NOT have the look!!! With so many young, beautiful and talented actresses, why did Zach Snyder choose Amy Adams?! I am so disappointed. This really reuins it for me!

Wow, they are really taking casting Lois Lane seriously!!!! Amy Adams is an Oscar Nominee and a serious actress. She practically changes personalities and sometimes looks from role to role. Lois Lane is a hard character to perfect, since the last person who played the part in Superman Returns played it one-dimensional. Kate Bosworth just came off as annoyingly b#tchy. Yeah right, if Lois Lane was simply b#tchy which she is not. Kate Bosworth was a flat chested and annoying. Amy Adams can bring in everything that she lacked. Amy Adams can bring in:

1. Subtle humor (which I have not seen in any of the Lois Lane's on TV or movies). Teri Hatcher acting like a dumb blond dork does not count. Hell Amy Adams is at Christopher Reeve level (who was roomates with Robin Williams in college).
2. She can bring in teary drama. Which let's face it, Terry Hatcher could NOT do on her best day. I've never seen that level of acting from Erica Durance either. But, at least Erica Durance tries to act unlike Terry Hatcher.
3. She can make her character's emotions three dimensional.
4. If Amy Adams amps up the s#x appeal and makes Lois Lane as s#xy as possible than it just might be the greatest Lois Lane of all time. The hottest I've seen Amy Adams is in Night at the Museum 2 when she was in the skin tight pants and the way she carried herself in her expressions. I hope the camera man and wardrobe person is not gay on this one since if they don't take advantage of showing her perfect hiney than they are stupid and don't care about this movie making money. Kate Bosworth was dressed in a nun's outfit for Superman Returns and I thought that nobody could out do the dull and s#xless Lois Lane that Margot Kidder played.

Amy Adams will be great as long as she steps up the s#x appeal. Since as we all know Lois Lane can very easily be a turn off depending on how she is portrayed.

Zack Snyder is an idiot. He gets the idea of generating buzz by casting LINDSAY LOHAN and when this falls through, due to her legal troubles, he still can't get the idea out of his head. The image is fixed in his mind, so he casts her lookalike, even though neither look anything like Lois. Snyder has the mind of a child.

Are you on drugs?! Comparing Amy Adams to Lindsay Lohan? Amy Adams is a respected three time Oscar nominated actress. Lindsay Lohan is a famous skank. Lohan was never in contention for Lois Lane. It was a false rumor cooked up by Lohan and her publicist. She wasn't even on Zack Snyder's radar.

I like Amy Adams. She would have been a suitable choice for the role…5-10 years ago. At 36 years of age, she's almost 10 years older than Henry Cavill's Superman. I don't think that's a workable difference IMO. Cavill is someone you could build a long term (10 or so years) series/franchise on as Superman (Superman films, a possible Justice League of America film), but Amy Adams? She'll be approaching 50 in 10 years. Bad decision from Zack Snyder. Truly bad!

Lois Lane is a little more harsh of a character than I would peg for Amy Adams. In order to compete with Superman as a significant other, she's got to be brash, confident, and feel on some level to be his equal. I just keep thinking of Heath Ledger when these casting choices are made; hopefully I find myself pleasantly proven wrong.

Someone can't add. Born August 20th, 1974, Amy Adams is 36 and looks 30. She's not the conventional choice for the role, but is stunningly beautiful and a very talented actress. She will probably ultimately make the quintessential Lois Lane that all others will be judged upon from here on out. Brilliant casting!

How can anyone think of reviving Superman? Experts say the newspaper industry is in decline, and everybody knows what that has to means for a press-power metaphor. Besides cell phones have made the phone booth increasingly a place from which no one can call rewrite. Consequently, despite the nubile loveliness of Amy Adams, and liberal 21st century sexual morality, it is evident that Lois Lane will remain a virgin until Clark Kent can fly again.

Horrible selection!! What the hell they were thinking? She might be a good experienced actress but she won't fit in Lois Lane's shoes, She's just not her. There other better options to play that role. I really hope they don't ruin this movie just like they are doing with the series finale of Smallville.

Amy Adams would be good for Lana Lang. She has the hair color for it. But not Lois Lane. Zack Snyder's an idiot. And if he doesn't use John Williams' 1978 theme, than he just doesn't know how to make a Superman film.

Someone can't add. Born August 20th, 1974, Amy Adams is 36 and looks 30. She's not the conventional choice for the role, but is stunningly beautiful and a very talented actress. She will probably ultimately make the quintessential Lois Lane that all others will be judged upon from here on out. Brilliant casting!

If all you naysayers are so smart, why aren't you casting agents making a fortune in Hollywood. Amy Adams is a great choice. You sound exactly like the no-it-alls that were saying how terrible a choice Heath Ledger was to play Joker.

Interesting. I think Terry Hatch was a little older than whatizname who played Superman in "Lois and Clark." She showed some nice comic timing in "Enchanted." Lois has to be played with a great sense of humor. Well, not thrilled, but it could work.

Now, for the story–I want the kind of producer who has the guts to come out and say, "Truth, Justice, and the American Way."

I don't want a Victoria's Secret model playing Lois. Lois should be cute rather than hot, brave and brassy and a little like Lucy Ricardo.

While I expect the Smallville fans to continually trash the very notion of this film since it isn't "Smallville: The Movie," I am surprised by those who believe that a possible change in theme music means that this film is doomed to be a failure. "Batman Begins" and "The Dark Knight" used very effective scores by composers who were neither Danny Elfman nor paying homage to his memorable score from the Tim Burton film, and those two movies were highly successful. The movie probably won't use the themes from the Superman cartoons of the 40's or the TV series from the 50's, either. So what? We're going to be seeing a NEW Superman. New Clark Kent, new Lois Lane, new everything. There might be a Luthor and/or a Zod; there might not. The inclusion or absence of these villains doesn't mean the movie will be a hit or a miss. As for people saying that Amy Adams is too old at 36 to play Lois, especially when Cavill is so young – she certainly doesn't LOOK 36. If anything, Cavill is a little young and pretty to be Superman, but I'm going to wait and watch the final product before proclaiming anything about this movie. The rest of you should do the same.

cougars are 40+ or really 50's so stop it oh dumb people sheesh see it is called superMAN not super boy so all you posting kids for these roles are wai off base and know nothing perhaps you need to read the comics a bit amy will rock that role and she is a angel if i ever seen one id omg thats yummy her

Awesome choice!!! She is intelligent, she seems positive and not malignantly hanger on resentful, She is beautiful…and an added bonus…she's got the thick long wavy hair most normal red blooded male women lovers adore…in contrast to the hipster norm of today.

Wow! What's with all the haters here? Amy Adams is a great choice to fill the role. Not sure why there is all this talk of "Cougar" and too old. She's got one thing over all these younger empty heads that have been suggested in previous posts – a proven track record and demonstratable intelligence.

let me tell yall something…. i think that she will come in on the part quite well and if u did ur research its henry cavill (count of monty crisco) who does look older than 26 and amy adams does not look her age..there for looking the part…not a cougar.. (besides u should give ppl a chance not one wanted robert pattenson for edward in twilight.. they even went as far to petition them to not use him…NOW Everyone is EDWARD Crazy) …. get enchanted out of ur head shes got the body for it picture her with dark hair and think on it b4 u go thinking everything is ruined…

I guess my biggest concern with Adams is she is tiny. I love her, but she is really small. So are they going to pick some puny Tom Cruise height actor to play SUPER man to give him proper scale? If so, I'm not in. Superman is a big dude. Most actors who have player him have been 6' 3". So is the shot across the bow that are they going to use a shrimp to play Superman?

Lindsay Lohjan would make a great Lois, if she could only ditch her drug-infested entourage. Amy Adams is too old — and she was too old for "Enchanted" as well, ruined the movie. Fairytale princesses are supposed to be teenagers. I can only think that they are intentionally marketing these movies to the cougar crowd — heroines that are not too thin, not too young. If they want to capture the audience that lusted after teenage vampires and werewolfs, superman should be cast in his early twenties at the latest. Him having a cougar girlfriend will bomb to the male 18+ crowd. Hollywood is run by idiots.

Boucher should have dug deeper to find Amy Adams' very early role as a lipo-sucking meteor-infected freak in Smallville. In that stunning performance, she was a "reality prequel" to Kirstie Alley!! Who knew?

I think some of these cougar comments are a reflection of how delusional and youth obsessed the "kids" of today have become…largely the result of a youth obsessed media that is so unrelenting that you end up with naturally beautiful women getting plastic surgery as early as their late 20's and early 30's while others are becoming face zombies from all the botox they are injecting into their rigid faces. It's all rather sad and cattle like and is explained very succinctly in Gustave Le Bon's "The Crowd: A Study of the Popular Mind"….many a dictator and advertising strategist has made use of this short book written at the end of the 19th century.

Amy Adams is too ugly, too redhead, and WAY TOO OLD to play Lois Lane.
Her consistant lack of acting skill means that she will not be able to distract the audience from the fact that she is horribly miscast here. This is as bad as the last actor playing superman trying to make the character gay (that or he was just SO gay that it came through no matter what he did so Superman seemed like a creepy stalker rather than a heartbroken man in love).

There are so many actresses who could do a vastly better job that this casting makes no sense at all.

Hello, and I'd like to know exactaly, WHY[?] Amy Adams! If we the public are going to pay to watch this movie in which she will play the heroine, Lois Lane, should we not get a say? Frankly, after, "Superman Returns", I didn't think it could ever get any wrose. I'm wrong. She was awful in, "Sunshine Cleaning.", a disaster in, "Julie&Julia", and I don't ever want to watch her AGAIN! I know, I'm one of Millions in this world, but I will not be paying $15.00, to watch that stuipd woman ruin another movie. Thank you, Diana.

Personally I'd just like to see what a woman looks like that calls Amy Adams ugly. LOL And furthermore a disaster as an actress. Wow! That person must have been nominated for an Academy Award MORE than 3 times! And must be hotter than hot! Goodness me, the mind boggles!

The resentment of the talentless life gawker knows no bounds and usually rears its ugly head on the comment boards concerning those they could never possibly match up to in ability, looks or accomplishments. Which is why you have what are probably rather plain looking people with average bland hair complaining about the appearence of a gourgous women with beautiful red hair. Its the psychology of the screaming mob at the gladitorial games…in many ways human nature has not changed much since the times of Nero.

i don't get the amy bashing here. omg she's so incredibly talented and very beautiful. i'd by popcorn and an a ticket just to watch her wheel her trash to the curb, and she could make me laugh on the way there and cry on the way back, i'm sure. not that she probably takes her trash to the curb, i'm just saying… she's that awesome. she'll probably be the first lois i ever really, really liked. if it makes all the douche-bags here happy, maybe she can color her hair. jeez.

JESUS H BALD HEADED CHRIST!! You people are sad. Amy Adams is a good choice for Lois most definatley better than big head Kate Bosworth. All of you are too damn STUCK UP on this age thing…if that's the case, why didn't Snyder cast someone mature and old enough to play supes than 28 year old Cavill?…really.

I like Amy and I think she would have done well as Lois….10 years ago. By the time this movie comes out, Amy will be pushing 40 and when she films the sequel…she'll be what in her mid 40s while Henry will be barely 30. Everyone keeps talking about Lois Lane being in her 30s in the other movies and having all these achievements, well this is an origin story and Lois had to learn how to walk before she could run. Why can't she start out as a rookie reporter or an intern the same way Clark did or will? She can still be strong and fierce as an intern or college grad. In order for this franchise to succeed, the characters have to be able to grow with it, especially since these movies will only be made once every 3 years. I think age IS a big deal here.